University of Arkansas, Fayetteville ScholarWorks@UARK Theses and Dissertations 8-2012 Of Dice and Men: An Ethnography of Contemporary Gaming Subculture Christopher Shane Brace University of Arkansas, Fayetteville Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd Part of the Social and Cultural Anthropology Commons Recommended Citation Brace, Christopher Shane, "Of Dice and Men: An Ethnography of Contemporary Gaming Subculture" (2012). Theses and Dissertations. 488. http://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/488 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks@UARK. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@UARK. For more information, please contact
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[email protected]. OF DICE AND MEN: AN ETHNOGRAPHY OF CONTEMPORARY GAMING SUBCULTURE OF DICE AND MEN: AN ETHNOGRAPHY OF CONTEMPORARY GAMING SUBCULTURE A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Art in Sociology By Christopher S. Brace University of Arkansas Masters of Business Administration, 2005 University of Arkansas Bachelor of Arts in Middle East Studies & Anthropology, 2003 August 2012 University of Arkansas ABSTRACT Tabletop roleplaying is a dynamic and flourishing hobby that has become increasingly accessible to a wide variety of participants. The games themselves, as well as the gaming subculture, offer players a number of personal and social benefits that continue to enrich their lives long after they leave the table. Using Goffman's theories of Dramaturgy and Frame Analysis, this paper seeks to examine the positive impact of gaming in three key areas. The first is an analysis of the subculture which includes the evolution of the games, the growth and diversification of the roleplaying community, and the current shift in stereotypes about gaming.